The Legend of the Green Beret: The Origin of the “Beard” of Special Operations Units

Written by Neil Fotre on April 11, 2019
Translated by Thepphong Chaiyarat on September 3, 2020.
Compiled by Ranakrit Sriphumma on September 13, 2020.

A story about a prisoner of war (POW)
It is generally depressing, as the stories are often related
With the suffering, the hardships that seem to have no end

However, one legendary Green Beret member
Transformed a sad and heartbreaking story into a story
Exciting with his powerful fights and his "beard"

Colonel James "Nick" Rowe is an alumnus.
From the United States Army Military College at West Point
and is a former commissioned officer of the special forces unit
Served in the United States Army from 1960 to 1974.
He was recalled to active duty in 1981.
and traveled to serve as an advisor to the Philippine Army
In the Philippine Army's counter-guerrilla operation

Even though he went through many battles in his life,
But the legendary story of Rowe takes place in the rainforest.
Of Vietnam

Rowe while serving as a lieutenant in Vietnam.

In October 1963, Lieutenant Rowe (his rank at the time)
Entering the 3-month period of being a military advisor
In South Vietnam, while Rowe was on a mission
To drive out Viet Cong forces from the village of Le Coeur

Rowe was captured during a firefight.
Along with young Captain Humberto "Rocky" Versace
Future recipients of the Medal of Honor, the highest honor for bravery

Rowe spent 62 months in captivity.
(about 5 years and 2 months) in the rainforests of South Vietnam
It is called the "Forest of Darkness".

During his time as a captive prisoner
Rowe was tortured and subjected to the abuse.
Many times, there has been inhumanity, but because of Rowe
He is an excellent survivalist and has high perseverance.

Rowe tried to fool his captors by saying:
He was just an engineer who was drafted into the military to serve his country.

And with his deception, Rowe got his chance.
Tried to escape many times
So that he can be freed and return to his unit again.

After five years of trying to keep Rowe captive,
His prison guards finally lost their patience.
Viet Cong intelligence received information that Rowe's true identity was:
Is an intelligence officer

So the North Vietnamese Army soldiers sentenced him to death.
He is sentenced to death and Rowe is taken to the forest.
To kill the Viet Cong patrols.
But Rowe has a plan in mind.

As Rowe was about to be killed, Rowe's jailer became distracted.
Along with the sound of an American military helicopter that just flew by.
Rowe took the opportunity to physically assault his guards.
and ran into an open area where the helicopter could see him waving.

Based on the testimony of the helicopter pilot
Even though Rowe was dressed in black, resembling a Viet Cong soldier,
But his thick, black beard grew longer during his imprisonment.
Being a prisoner also helps pilots to identify
Rowe was American. Rowe was eventually rescued.
In 1968 he returned to America with the rank of major.

Rowe's book 5 Years to Freedom

After resigning from public service to run for Congress in the United States and writing a book called
"5 Years to Freedom"

Rowe also decided to pursue his military career.
As a reserve force in the United States Army
And he returned to being a professional soldier in earnest in 1981.

Lieutenant Colonel Rowe (rank at the time) designed and created the course.
The military itself, this course is based on real experiences.
His possessions during his time as a captive prisoner
To be used as a training aid

James "Nick" Rowe in his M81 Woodland uniform.
While holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel

In 1987, Rowe was appointed commander of the advisory group in the Philippines. Rowe worked closely with the CIA.
and the Philippine government intelligence agency
To prevent and stop the communist revolution

Rowe was assassinated in 1989 in his car.
Attacked by assassins from a communist organization
of the New People's Armed Forces of the Philippines

While he was teaching counter-terrorism strategies
and guerrilla warfare for the Philippine government army

The seal of the SERE curriculum

Survival, Evasion,
Resistance and Escape

It is a component of the SERE curriculum.
That is still being taught at the training center, Colonel James "Nick" Rowe.
At McCall Air Force Base, North Carolina
For special forces students by training in this course.
It is required for passing the Special Forces course.
Of the United States Army

And it is widely known that even though it is the most brutal course,
But it is most important in the training curriculum of
Special Forces Circle

One of the most brutal obstacle courses
In special forces training, there is a unit called Nasty Nick.
Which was inspired by the name of Colonel James "Nick" Rowe.

Students who tested for special forces were allowed to enter.
To be able to grow a moustache while studying
The SERE course, an inspired exception
It comes from the name of the training center that teaches this course.

Even though students have graduated and are in the process of working
In various areas, having a “beard” is still another thing.
Where special operations units continue to operate in every battlefield
Whether in Afghanistan or Iraq to this day

In addition to the reason that having a beard helps create
Confidence and bargaining points with tribal chiefs
Or the leaders in the community according to their beliefs

Having a beard also has the benefit of being an assistant.
In case of siege or captivity or even
Escape from enemy territory through camouflage with suits
Or enemy clothing

“Beard” will become another thing that will help the team.
Realize that this is an American and the “beard” becomes another
One symbol that special agents choose to use in their duties
In dangerous areas around the world until today ......